The Saints on Earth and Those Above

The Saints on Earth and Those Above is a hymn text by Charles Wesley (1747) in C.M. meter. Found in tlh 478. Sung to ST. FLAVIAN.

This hymn expresses the Lutheran understanding of the communion of saints as the interconnection between believers on earth and the departed faithful in heaven, unified in Christ. It reflects the eschatological hope central to Christian faith without emphasizing prayers to saints.

History & Background

Written by Charles Wesley in the 18th century, this hymn celebrates the unity of the Church militant and Church triumphant. It was included in Methodist hymnals and later adopted by Lutheran hymnody.

Hymnal Appearances

• The Lutheran Hymnal — 478

Bulletin Note

Written by Charles Wesley in 1747, this hymn expresses the evangelical recovery of the communion of saints—the belief that Christ unites all believers, living and departed, in one eternal fellowship of grace.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Gospel's eschatological promise: death's power is broken by the Cross, and believers are united across the veil in Christ, grounding pastoral hope in the communion of saints rather than human merit.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

• The Third Article (Concerning Sanctification) Small Catechism — The Apostles' Creed

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Christ's Lenten self-denial models our repentance; His victory over Satan empowers our spiritual triumph; His presence sustains us through suffering toward Easter joy and eternal paradise.

Background Research

TLH 478. A composite. Stanza 1 is adapted from Watts (index), and stanzas 2–5 come from Charles Wesley's "Come, let us join our friends above", Funeral Hymns (1759); an untitled 4-stanza draft is in his MS Richmond (c. 1749–59). Its military imagery (God as captain, the Church Militant and Triumphant) belongs to the Seven Years' War years. The central image is the one army of the living God, part already crossed the flood (Jordan, Josh 1 and 3) and part crossing now, which fits early Methodist ideas of dying well. John Wesley called it "the sweetest hymn his brother ever wrote". Frank Baker reports that John and a congregation were singing it at the hour Charles died in March 1788, and John had it sung at a Dublin memorial sermon in 1789 (UMC Discipleship). Duke has the Funeral Hymns PDF.

Overview

A composite of Watts and Charles Wesley on the communion of saints (Heb 12:22-24). The saints on earth and above make one communion, joined to their Lord (st. 1); one family, one Church, divided only by the 'narrow stream of death' (st. 2); one army, part already across the flood, part crossing now (st. 3); thousands are borne away and we too must launch (st. 4); Lord Jesus, divide death's flood and land us safe (st. 5) — the Jordan-crossing image.

Central theme: One Church in heaven and on earth, separated only by death's narrow stream, which Christ will part for us

Structure

Five common-meter quatrains. One communion (1) — one family (2) — one army (3) — the margin (4) — the crossing (5).

Law & Gospel Shape

Law: death's cold flood; all must 'launch' (4-5). Gospel: 'Joined to their Lord'; 'All of His grace partake'; 'land us safe in heaven' (1, 5).

Confessional Connections

Heb 12:22-24 (TLH's text): 'You have come to Mount Zion… to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus.' Apostles' Creed: 'the communion of saints' — LC Creed III.47-53: one holy Christian Church, the community of all believers in Christ. AC VII: the Church is the assembly of believers; the departed faithful remain members (Ap XXI.9 acknowledges the saints pray for the Church in general, without warrant for invocation). Death is 'the narrow stream' — the soul passes to Christ (Phil 1:23), awaiting the resurrection (AC XVII). St. 5: Christ parts death's flood as God parted the Jordan (Josh 3).

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

All Saints; funerals; communion of saints.

Historical Notes

St. 1 adapted from Watts (Hymns, 1709); st. 2-5 from Charles Wesley's Funeral Hymns (1759), 'Come, let us join our friends above.'

About the Tune

ST. FLAVIAN (John Day's Psalter; CCEL gives 1572 here, 1562 at TLH 382 — verify).

Scripture References

Heb 12:22-24 Eph 3:14-15 Eph 4:4-6 Rom 14:8 Josh 3:14-17 Heb 9:27 Ps 90:10 Ps 48:14 Isa 43:2 John 14:3

Stanza by Stanza

Themes

Communion of Saints Heaven and earth united Triumphant Church Eternal fellowship

Look Further

• Search Hymnary.org for "The Saints on Earth and Those Above" ↗
• Search IMSLP for public-domain scores of "ST. FLAVIAN" ↗